'74 Rear Brakes
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 16
Likes: 7
'74 Rear Brakes
Did some maintenance on the strut rods and u-joints and now can't get the brake pads spread apart to reinstall on rotors....one side went on but can't collapse the pistons on the other side .......what's a guy to do?????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Hi and welcome
Open the bleeder on the stuck side and squeeze the pad evenly so the pistons go flush with the caliper.
Insert a socket that is about 1 and 1/2" top to bottom between the pads and insert the caliper in place, and tighten the bleeder.
Insert a socket that is about 1 and 1/2" top to bottom between the pads and insert the caliper in place, and tighten the bleeder.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Measure the thickness of your rotor. If you have a table-saw, rip a piece of wood just a smidge thicker than the rotor.
Jamb that stick in the caliper until the pads clear the rotor, then remove.
Like Peterbuilt said, open a bleeder. But I would attach a couple feet of clear hose and run the DOT3 into a plastic bottle.
Top off the master.
Jamb that stick in the caliper until the pads clear the rotor, then remove.
Like Peterbuilt said, open a bleeder. But I would attach a couple feet of clear hose and run the DOT3 into a plastic bottle.
Top off the master.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: Catoosa,Ok
‘74 rear brakes
So I won’t need to bleed the system to get any air out, right? Fantastic, thanks guys…..
Measure the thickness of your rotor. If you have a table-saw, rip a piece of wood just a smidge thicker than the rotor.
Jamb that stick in the caliper until the pads clear the rotor, then remove.
Like Peterbuilt said, open a bleeder. But I would attach a couple feet of clear hose and run the DOT3 into a plastic bottle.
Top off the master.
Jamb that stick in the caliper until the pads clear the rotor, then remove.
Like Peterbuilt said, open a bleeder. But I would attach a couple feet of clear hose and run the DOT3 into a plastic bottle.
Top off the master.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Sometimes when the pads & pistons are shoved into the bore more than normal operation, it stirs up some corrosion that has been dormant.
Using clear tubing / bottle will show if further flushing of the caliper is needed.
Just leave the brake pedal alone if you see rusty DOT3 and open both inner & outer bleeders and allow to gravity bleed for an hour or until the fluid drips clear.
Removal of master lid will allow the system to drain a bit.
Using clear tubing / bottle will show if further flushing of the caliper is needed.
Just leave the brake pedal alone if you see rusty DOT3 and open both inner & outer bleeders and allow to gravity bleed for an hour or until the fluid drips clear.
Removal of master lid will allow the system to drain a bit.
